Cactus House - GH 1 Although named the cactus house, this greenhouse is home to a diverse collection of plants, most of which need very little water or no water when it is raining outside. The succulent and caudiciform collection includes cacti, euphorbs, stapeliads, haworthias, asclepiads, etc. Other important plants found inside are a male and female Gnetum nomen tree, thirty year + old Welwitschia mirabilis plants which provide seed and plants to numerous institutions around the U.S., and plants from Socotra and Madagascar.
Tropical Plant House - GH 3 The tropical plant house has a wonderful variety of plants from the tropics. There one can see important food and spice plants including a chocolate tree, a Kola tree, vanilla orchid, miracle fruit, durian tree, jakfruit tree, and manihot. Also found is a diverse collection of tropical pitcher plants (Nepenthes) which eat insects to obtain necessary nutrients to grow. Orchids, ferns, ant plants, corps flowers, and many other plants with intriguing life histories can be found in this warm humid habitat.
The Lath House The lath house provides shade to many types of plants. There one can see beautiful American Pitcher Plants (Sarracenia) and other carnivorous plants like Nepenthes, Pinguicula, Drosera, Cephalotus, and Darlingtonia. Gymnosperms such as conifers, cycads, and ginko can be found there. Giant Equisitales can be seen growing out of the in-ground pond along with Chara a blue-green algae and mosquito fish.
Outdoor Planters and Benches The west-side triangular planters are home to the rare Francensence tree, Horse radish trees (Moringa), ancestral corn, and other interesting and usefull plants. The east-side benches are home to numerous native California plants from the deserts to the coast. Most of the plants which can grow well in our climate can be found on the outdoor benches.
